Programme for the ESO Open House Day 2016 now available

ESO, the world’s most productive ground-based observatory, will open its doors to the public on Saturday 22 October 2016 between 11:00 and 18:00 CEST. The event will be held at ESO’s Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the world of ESO first hand by taking part in many different activities. The programme of activities for the day is now available.

Our Open House Day is part of the Tag der offenen Tür that is taking place across the Garching research campus, as well as at several other local institutes.

If you need help to find your way during the Open House Day, look for our members of staff, who are wearing name badges. As ESO is an international organisation, we have staff speaking several languages.

Media representatives who wish to attend the event are asked to confirm their participation by contacting osandu@partner.eso.org.

List of Activities on Offer

Area 1: Welcome to ESO

Pick up free material about ESO, an event programme, and a map of the building. Children can pick up passports to collect stamps and get a chance to win gifts if they accumulate all of the stamps from our activities (on departure, gifts can be collected from area 17). Children can also pick up an album for stickers here.

Area 2: ESO and ALMA exhibitions with models; Ask an Astronomer

Learn more about ESO’s telescopes and science. If you have questions, look for one of our staff members wearing an “Ask an Astronomer” badge.

Area 3: Adaptive Optics demonstration

Find out more about this fascinating technique used to compensate for the turbulent atmosphere above us.

Area 4: ESO Chile Chill

Take a moment to relax by watching spectacular images and videos from our sites in Chile.

Area 5: Picture book presentation

Join space rock Pedro and his friends on their exciting adventures.

Area 6: Stellarium and a photo collection of the night sky

A demonstration of the Stellarium software and other resources, and how you can use them to find your way around the night sky. You can also admire vistas of the starry night.

Area 7: Exploring the night sky

Discover the amazing astronomical objects you can see throughout the year and learn how to identify the bright stars and major constellations next time you’re out stargazing.

Area 8: Guided tours of ESO

Join our guides on a tour through the ESO premises and learn more about ESO and its new Headquarters extension building.

Area 9: Guided tours of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) prototype components and astronomical instrumentation

Visit our integration laboratory and learn about instruments, E-ELT prototype component testing and optical experiments, which optimise the performance of telescopes. Please note: The laboratory is a clean environment and access requires special plastic overshoes that will be provided at the entrance of the assembly hall.

Area 10: ESOshop

If you are looking for souvenirs or gifts, this is the place to visit.

Area 11: Live connection to Paranal and ALMA in Chile, a variety of talks and short-film screenings

Area 12: Cafeteria

Free drinks are available for our visitors. For a small donation you can also enjoy an international buffet with traditional food from around the world, all homemade by our staff.

Area 13: Observing with a telescope

If we have clear skies, astronomers will show you the Sun with their small telescopes.

Area 14: Infrared photography

Have your infrared picture taken.

Area 15: Youngsters’ Corner

See how creative, exciting and varied technology is! Give it a try: Come with us on a hands-on tour, with workshops and experiments — or simply ask us questions to your heart’s content!

Area 16: Comet factory

Learn about comets and what they’re made of at this spectacular comet-making demonstration.

Area 17: Face painting; LEGO telescope building; children’s gifts

Children will have lots of fun having their faces painted in all kinds of astronomical motifs such as stars, galaxies or comets.